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 |  | Public School: $5,000-$25,000 Tuition, Fees, Books & Supplies |  | Private School: $20,000-$40,000+ Tuition, Fees, Books & Supplies |
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Known as licensed practical nurses or licensed vocational nurses (depending on the state in which they work), LPNs and LVNs provide basic nursing care(such as taking vital signs, collecting samples, wound management, or bathing, moving the patient) while working under the direction of registered nurses and doctors. Training is through a state-approved educational program that typically takes a year to 18 months, and graduates must pass a national exam and get a state license before they can work.
Typical costs: | - Tuition, fees, books and supplies at a public college or university can cost $5,000-$25,000, depending on length, whether the program is full time (days) or part time (evenings and weekends), and the location and status of the school. Books, supplies and living expenses can add $8,000-$15,000 or more, depending on location and circumstances, bringing total costs to $12,000-$40,000 or more.
- For example, tuition and fees for the two-semester, full-time LPN program at Johnson County Community College[1] in Kansas costs $5,103 for Johnson County residents, $5,658 for Kansas residents and $9,210 for out-of-state students; living, transportation and miscellaneous expenses are estimated at $10,824, bringing total costs to $15,927 for county residents, $16,482 for state residents and $20,034 for out-of-state students.
- For a one-year, three-semester LPN program at Northern Virginia Community College[2] , with classes held all day on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, tuition, fees, books and supplies are $18,136; transportation and living expenses can bring total costs to $33,226-$38,821, depending on whether the student lives with family members or independently.
- And at Pennsylvania State University[3] , tuition for the part-time, 18-month practical nurse program costs $14,500, including instruction, books, uniforms and basic nursing supplies; there will be some additional fees (health tests, insurance, CPR certification, national exam) and living expenses will depend on the part-time student's individual circumstances.
- Tuition, fees, books and supplies for a LPN or LVN program at a private college can cost $20,000-$40,000 or more, depending on the school and the length of the program; living expenses (and therefore total costs) will depend on the individual circumstances of the student.
- For example, Delta College[4] in Baton Rouge, LA, estimates total costs at $23,514 for tuition, fees, books and supplies for a daytime (15 months total) or nighttime (24 months) LPN program. And EPCI University[5] in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia estimates costs of $35,319 for tuition, fees, books and supplies. Although they cost more, private schools typically have less of a waiting list than public programs, or no waiting list, and may have more frequent start dates, accelerated programs that take less time to complete, or a more flexible schedule for working students.
What should be included: | - LPN or LVN programs should provide both classroom instruction and clinical practice in a healthcare setting. Wallace Community College Selma in Alabama outlines the practical nurse curriculum[6] for its three-semester (full-time) and four-semester (part-time) programs.
- LPNs and LVNs work in a variety of healthcare settings, including nursing homes, extended care facilities, hospitals, physicians' offices and private homes. They often stand for long periods, and physically help patients move in bed, stand or walk. Most LPNs and LVNs work a 40-hour week, but because patients require 24-hour care, some LPNs and LVNs work nights, weekends and holidays. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs provides an overview of duties and working conditions[7] .
Discounts: | - There are a variety of nursing scholarship, grant and loan programs available. Filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid[8] is required before receiving most scholarships or financial aid.
- Information is also available online for federal student aid grants[9] (which do not need to be repaid) and federal work-study programs[10] , which are designed for students with financial need.
- The American Association of Colleges of Nursing lists potential financial aid resources[11] .
- The National Student Nurses Association offers scholarships[12] and grants[13] .
Shopping for becoming an lpn or lvn: | - Search for practical nursing programs at DiscoverNursing.com[14] , or contact the state board of nursing[15] for a listing of board-approved schools in that state.
- Ask about the school's accreditation, the number of clinical training hours included in the program, and graduates' NCLEX-PN pass rate and job placement percentages.
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External Resources: | - www.jccc.edu/nursing/practicalnurse/lpn-costs.html
- www.nvcc.edu/wdce/mec/courses/lpn/curriculum.asp
- www.bk.psu.edu/CE/licensed-practical-nurse-lpn-program.htm
- www.deltacollege.com/batonrouge-programs/Practical-Nurse-LPN
- www.ecpi.edu/medical/program/practical-nursing-diploma/
- www.wccs.edu/lpn/curriculum.html
- www.michigan.gov/healthcareers/0,4590,7-221-39742-64523--,00.html
- www.fafsa.ed.gov/
- www.fsa4counselors.ed.gov/clcf/grants.html
- www.fsa4counselors.ed.gov/clcf/workstudy.html
- www.aacn.nche.edu/students/financial-aid#undergraduate
- www.nsna.org/FoundationScholarships/FNSNAScholarships.aspx
- www.nsna.org/FoundationScholarships/FNSNAGrants.aspx
- www.discovernursing.com/schools#degrees=lpn&national=national&locations=ca
- www.ncsbn.org/contactbon.htm
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